Gripper-operating mechanism for printing-machines



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheefl'.

W. SCOTT. GRIPPER OPERATING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES.

No. 508,053. Patented vNov. 7', 1893.

(No Model.) I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. SCOTT GRIPPER OPERATING MBUHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES; No. 508,053.Patented Nov. 7, 1893.

illi

- avwewboz UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

.WALTER SCOTT, OF PLAIN FIELD, NEW JERSEY.

GRlPPER-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of LettersPatent No. 508,053, dated November7, 1893. i

Application filed April 28, 1891.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, WALTER ScoTT, a citizenof the United States, and a resident of Plainfield, in the county ofUnion and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulGripper-Operating Mechanism for Printing-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to the mechanism operating the so-called tumblergrippers ofprinting machines. A common method of operating the rod orshaft carrying the grippers is to have a slotted T-head on the endthereof, and one or more pins, studs or lugs on the frame work to enterthe slot and turn the rod. This construction is open to serious gettingthe press ready for running ofi an edition, the workmen place thegripper shaft in such position that the slot of the T-head does notregister with the pin, stud or-lug with which it next comes in contact,either injacking the machine around or in starting up; that is, the pinstrikes the outside of the T- head and not the slot. The usual result isa bending or breakage of some part, entailing annoyance, delay andexpense.

The object of my invention is to avoid the I possibility of damage,delay and expense caused by the non-registering ot' the parts spoken ofabove, whatev'ermaybe the cause of such non-registering, wliether' thecarelessness-of the workmen or oth'er'event. Other objects will appearhereinafter.

To these ends, my invention consists in the devices and combinations ofdevices herein- I after described, and more particularly pointa drumcylinder press.

a Fig. 4 is ,an endelevation of certain parts shown in Fig. 3.

While I have shown the invention as ap plied to the impression cylinder,it is obvious m..- that itis equally applicable to feed, delivery,

Serial No. 390,797. (No model.)

pression surface 11, carries the rod 12 which has the grippers 13 andthe slotted tumblercam 14 thereon. There is a delivery cylinder D havinggrippers 15; also, the fliers, F, tapes 16, and feed board 17. All theparts thus far described are of usual construction and operation. It isnot material so far as my inobjections. It frequently happens that, in-

vention is concerned, what form of type car- .rier, or feed, or deliverybe used, whether those shown or others. I Y

Theigist of the invention consists of the combination with the slottedtumbler-cam of a gripper-shaft of a pin, to operate the same, mounted toswing about an external axis, which is or may be parallel to that of thepin, or to that of the gripper-shaft. Other combinations are alsoincluded in the invention. In the preferred form of the invention, thepin is carried bya rock-shaft or an arm there of, and may be integraltherewith. able stop is used to prevent the pin from yielding in one,direction, but allows of its motion in the other direction, so thatwhen the cam is in its proper position, the pin will engage orarticulate therewith to turn the grippers, but when the cam isinanimproper position, the pin will yield and allow the cam to passfreely. Referring to Figs. 1 and'2, an

.A-shaped frame 18 is, by preference, bolted 'to box 19 which receivesthe journal 20 of the A suitcylinder 0. The tumbler-cam14 is purposely.shown in a wrong position in order that the action of the invention maybe more clearly shown. The pin A is carried by the arm 21 of the shaft22, and normally rests against .the stop a in position to enter orarticulate with the cam 14 when the latter is in its normal position. Bypreference, the axis of mo- .tionofpin A, asthe shaft 22, is at agreater distance from the axis of cylinder O'than is the gripper-shaft12, as this gives greater ease of motion. When the cam 14 is in a wrongposition, as in Figs. 1 and 2, the pin 'A is pushed aside thereby. Aspring maybe used to keeparm 21 normally against the stop a. The grippershaft is preferably held in each of its two extremes of motion by asuit- 5 able spring-device. A stop 23, co-operating with the tumbler-cam14, limits the movement of the gripper shaft in each direction. springdevice shown consists of a rod 24, pivoted at one end to an arm 27, onthe opposite side of shaft 12 from the grippers and passes looselythrough a suitable perforation in a lug 25 on the cylinder head; aspiral spring 26, surrounding the rod 24 and abutting against the lug 25and a pin or collar on the rod 24,

normally maintains contact between the cam 14c and-stop 23. Wheneverthe; gripper rod -isumovedfrom either of its QOSihiODSwtO the otheratherod 2 1 slides thronghxthe hole aiug'25yand thespring 26 is compresseduntil the joint of rod 24 and=arm .27: passes theimji :aginary linejoining thencenter ofshaft 12 and ling 25, when the spring, if:unresisted,

- expandsvand throws the shaft l2-aro and until rthescam l i strikes thestop 23; i In lieu-20f z 5 T the=above-spring device, other suitablemeans "maybe used for the same purpose. 1 For in @stance, the shaft 12'may have aseetor ofpa -circle onit with L\VOVl notchesinit, and adiatzspring having a V endto fit the \lnotches govmay cngage the said:notches whenever the shaft 12 hasbeen turned farwcnough bythe pin. "lihepin j nst-described operates the griplpears to close them in the processof feeding sheets.

nnvention when used to openthe grlppers 'to xrelease a sheet. In thestructure now just defscribed the pin yields to a forcerapplied at its[inner side, and iswunyieldingi to a forcexapf- 0 plied at its outerside. In the structure to he now described; the pin yields to a'forceapi plied at its outer sideandis unyielding to aforce applied at its innerside; outernand 'innerbeing used with reference to the axis of 18,-andby preference its axis of motion-is .closer to the axis of the cylinder0 thanis the shaft.l2. -Thepin B is made unyielding in 501m: outwarddirection, preferably by a stop,as it :28,ron theframe'18, and isheldagainstithe -st0p by. any suitable means, as a counter I weight oi'preferably, by a spring, as s. It :may be noted here that when two. pinsare disposed-as in Fig.1;that is, one yieldingontwardiy'an'd the otherinwardly,each" has a function in righting the grippershaft and- ;tumblercam for the other. Whenever the tumbler cam is in a position, relativeto either i 1* will'nowdescribe thearrangementbf my cylinder 0 as acenter. The pin B is ,journaledin the same way as pin 21 in the framemounted on a stud 40ion the frame 18. gear 37istwicethesize or diameterof gear in its rightposition to be operated by the pin it and open thegrippers, after which pin A can enter the slot and close the grippers.The journal box 19 is shown in Fig. 1 as being adjustable by means ofscrews 29, 30, and the frame 18 is shown as being bolted to the jour nalbox 19. This is not an essential but a preferred method of mounting thearms or frame 18 supporting the pins, as it avoids any adjustment of thesaid frame independently of that of the journal box, whenever, from anycause, the latter may require adjustment. It is understood, of course,that the working positions of the pins relatively to the tumbler can1-are and remain fixed in an operative construction. The pins A and B areheld from endwise motion by collars I) and c on their shafts 22 and.22*'respectivelyrwhich are se- Lcured to. their outerxends as-shown.

The'structureshown l'iIPEigSJ 3 and 4 will now he described. 1 Thetype 1bed, form and ink rolls areas in Fig. 1. Thetwo revolution impressioncylinder 0 has an impression surface 31, grippers 13 on shaft12-havingatum- *bler cam14,iand.stop23, all as in Figs. 1 and 2. Thejournal" boxes 32 (only oneis shown) areurmovable rim-guides as in Fig.1, and are borne by suitable rods s-as 33;:these rods are or maybe:moved up and down at suitable times by any suitable mechanism suchg forinstance, as that shown in wmyPatent No. 425,710, dated April 15,. 1890.Screws; 34, regulatethe descent of the boxes. 35 is a lock-nutonthescrew3t. The"; deliverycyl- 1 inders -D, and: itsgrippers, thefliers, the tapes and thefeedboard rare as in Fig. 1, andneed nodescription. Since, in i this lease, the-imu pressioncylinder. makes tworevolutions, the

righting action, spoken of above, of the pins during the firstrevolution: must be avoided.

In that form of m yqinvention shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the pinshaveanrendwise movement as well as the movement hereinbefore described,

1 so ithat. theyhave an .out and ran in, an inoperative and an operativeposition. gripper closing :pin A is journaledand slides .in abearing'ina: frame 18 bolted to the box The 32-for the cylinderjournal.Thepin B for opening. the grippers is mounted in the frame 18 in amanner=similar to that of pin A just described and rests againststop 28.To cause each pin to assume its out and its in position each oncetotworevolutions of the cylinder 0*, or one duringone revolution andtheoth'er during the. next revolution of the cylinder, I employthe.gears 36, 37, cam 38, and lever 39. ,The gear 36 is placed on theextended end of the journal of the cylinder G and meshes with the gear37 which is The cumferential groove in its outer end. A pin 42 onthelever 39 engages groove 43 in the shaft 22 of pin A, and pin 4.4 onthe said lever en A spiral spring surrounds rod 48 and abuts.

against thelug for said-rod and against a pin or collar on the rod., Thepin B is held against the, stop 28, but-is not prevented from sliding,by a similar rod 5], pivoted to an arm on the pin, passingthrpugh a dugor frame 18*, and surrounded by-a spiral spring 52, which abuts.

against the lug and a pinor collar on the rod.-

It will ,be noted that the tumbler-cam is shown in Fig. 3 as being-inasimilar position to that shown inFig. 1, and for a similarreason.Assuming that the. tumbler vcam were. in proper positionto be closed bythe pin A and that it is to the right of the pin inFig. 3, the operationof the parts is, as fol-lows: 'lhe cylinderturningin the directionindicated by, the arrow, brings the upper. wall of the slot.of;tl1e.tumblercam into contact with thepin A and the tumbler-cam and grippershaftare turned to close the grippersto take a sheet fromthe feed board.The pin A being in its ..in orv operative position, the pin B is in itsout? or inoperative position, and, remains out? until the tumblercam haspassed-it when cam '38 (making a half turn to one turn of. the cyl-iinder) moveslever 39 from the position shown. This .moves bothpins; pin.A is moved to its .out position, and pin-Bio its .,in position.Thetumbl'er-cam therefore passes clear of pin A just as it,passed-clearof pin B and the grippers remain closed. ASthetumbler: camagainpasses pin,B,-the,latter enters the slot and opens the grippers.--,T.he cam 38,

again vmoves the lever;39 thistimeinto the. position shown, moving pinsAand Buinto the positions shown. Pin Aagain operates thev tumbler-cam andtheabove describedcycle of movements begin over. i-lfyfromeany cause thetumbler-cam, as itapproaches pin A in its .in position,.happensto be inthe posi-, tion shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it lifts thatpin and is itselfunmovedfrom theposition shown until itis operatedby the;pin,B,when thelatterisin its i nposition. Q When the tum: bler-ca'mis in its otherposition (not shown) as it approaches the pin B, it-,pushes that asideandis not moved itself, until thepin isin its in position,,when it isoperated. That is to say, the pair of pins each have the righta ingfunction relatively to the other, just as in first case described, -v pMany changes. may be made inthe mechanismfor. sliding the pins withoutdeparting from .myinvention. They may be so oper-.

atedlfrom other parts of the machine than; the journalof the impressioncylinder. Each pin mayhave' itsown operating mechanism,

independent of thatofthe other. 'lheess'en: tial feature in the caseshown in Figs.'3 and 4 is the pin having a turn-ing and a slidingmovement, whatever may be the nature of the means used to give it thelatter move-. inent. -As above stated, it is. preferred to have theiaxisof motion of the pin parallel to that of the'cylinder whose. grippersthe pin,

is to operate. v

; While the invention isshownin all'ecases as being on an impressioncylinder, its use is not limited to such a cylinder.

My invention may operate in another manner-in a two revolutioncylinderpress. In-.

steadof sliding in andout for the purposes described, thelpin or. pinsmay be turned by. suitablemeans untilthe pin is out'of the path of thetumbler cam in every possible position.

of the latter.v This is shownby the dotted; positions of the pin Aandthe tumbler-cam. The positions of thespring devicesfor hold.- 7 ingthe pins, against, their respective stops,

would be different from thoseshown, so as to.

return the pins toposition. Ihave not shown any mechanism for operatingmy invention vin this lastform, as I intend to-make. that.

the subject-matterof another application- It is not, necessary that theslot in the vtumdle, thus cutting; it intotwo slots.

, When my invention is usedinconnection I with an oscillating cylinder,the pins exchange functions during the reverse or .nonprintin'g movementof theimpression cylinder; thatis:,. L

the pin A opens thegrippers if closed .(othenwise,-it. merely lifts overthe tumbler. cam) and pin B-closes them if ,open (or is; moved inwardly,by --the tumbler cam if theyare.

closed), By theterm limitmyself to absolute parallelism, ,but simply.use it as a convenient term to .mean parallelism more orlessapproximate.I

While a two, revolution cylinder is shown. .in Figs. 3and 4 and isdescribed above, itis obvious that it might make more than ;two..;

revolutions, and the pins be operated accordwithin the'scope ofmyclaims.

4 to move the pin both inand out, it isobv'r .IIC

. in-gly without departing from myinvention, ,and I; regardsucharrangements,.asjcolning While I have shown a lever in Figs. -3.and,

,ous that vthepin could be moved in ,by the le-,

ver and out by a spring, or .vice versa, with-- 'out departing from my.invention, beingha.

construction. equivalent to thatshown. Four-.

the'r, thecam 38 may-control the;lev.er39; in. .anyway other than thatshown. The. can1 3.8-

maybe a pe one andtthe leverheld..-

against it by a spring,-a construction equivalent to thatshown. Thelever39;co l1 .d operate'the pins .when theiraxes of motion are at ,rightangles to 'the axis of the cylinder since -its pivot would only need-tobe at right an:

95 bler cam shallextend all the Wayacross, since there may be a-partition orwallin the mid-.

of said arms,-and -springs pressing the arms-1 against)saidstops;substantially as and for then purposes d'escribeda t Y 9.Thecombinationofia tworevolution cy1- inder, thetumbler-carnof-itsgripper-shaft; an:

: arm marrying: the: pin; ra stopwtheretor and mechanism moving lthepiniamdran'm into op erativezpositionflduring one revolution of the 7 5cylinder and outof said position duringthe next roperati'on :thereofysubstantially as do-' scribed.

10. Thecomhi nation otaitworevolution eyl 1 indelytheltumblencannof itsgripper shafit ia 8c pinata operate the eams*anw-arm carryingthe ipineastoptherefior,=and'vspring devicesrpressr ilng .the"armiagainsmhcpin; with mechanism moving said'arnr andtpin into operatinepoe rs ibimldiuring'bne revolution 'of thehcylindem randontot saidpositiorrdnringthe next revo lution thereofe substantially deseribedri Iy 11. The combinationof:a tworevolutioneylw inclergwthe itumbler cam ofi its gripper shafit,

i an arimcarryingtthe ping a shaft parallel" to gles to the pivot shown,and a slight change only in the cam making it aface camywou-ld berequired.

What 1 claim is- 1. In a printing machine; the combination ofthetumbler-ca-m of thegripper-shaft, a pins to operate thesame, ans-armcarry-ingthepim and havingi'its axis of motion paralleltothat of thegripper-shaft, and a stop limitingnt'hew motion of the pin in onedirectiong whereby the cam is operated or the: pin movedraside,substantiallyas de'soribedr l 2. In a printingmachine;theieombination ofthe tumbler-camof 'the'grippenshattya pin to operate thersame,-anarm1carryingthezpin and halviin g itsaxis of-moti'om paralleh to What ofthegripper shafitya stop-: 'limiting theiimorn tionnof =thei =pin in onedirection; anrli-atspring pressingitheipintoward-thestopgsubstantialty-- asandxtor theipurposes describedi i 3. Thecombinatio'nof a'cylinder moving-i aboutitslaxis; its grippers and theirshafitih'arv ingraslottedcam; therpin to operatetheramgn anarmsupporting thepin andrhavingfits axis of motionparal lel to that ofthe cylinder, astop limiting the motion of the pin; and at spring:-pressingithepin toward the stop,-substantially the axistof the=cylinderand carrying said 1 armgfzastop for said arm means-holdin g said :l-arm'against said stop lin a yielding manner; 1 and/mechanism movinglsaidshaft and pin as and i'or thepurposesdescribed: into operatine positionduringone revolutiom 4. Theicombination ofi a cylinder having ofthecylindewaindtoutot*saidposition'dnr- 0 motion aboutiitsiaxis, itsgrippersmnd their ingirthem'extrrevolution thereofasubstantiafllyshaft-having. a slottedcamntwor pinsg oneto 1 as describedi ropen andthelothewtoclose thegrippersypiv 12.Thecornbinationof.atworevolntioncyli otedarmscarrying saidpins,*andstopsllimitindeiwthertumbler -camiofnits gripper-shafitm I00ing the motion of the pinsythe one inwardly" and the other-outwardly,substanti'allyas and: for the lpurposes describedzw 5. Thecombinationofi a cylinder moving abont-itsa-xis; the tumbler-cam ofi-tsgrippershaft,-ltwo pins, one toopen"and the 'other to close thegrippersppivoted armscarryingsaid pins, a stop outwardly of one andinwardly of the other of "said arms, and springs pressing the pinstoward :said stops, substantially as and for the purpose-described:

6. The combinationof a tumbler-cam of the grippershafit, two -pins, oneto open and' the other to close said grippers; arms 'carrying said pins,and having their axes of unotion parallel to that of the gripper-shaft;and means holding onepin against outward and the other against rinwa-rd*motion and allowing each to move the other way, substantially asdescribed.

7. The combination of a cylinder moving about its axis; the tumbler-camof its grippershaft, two pins; one to openand theother to c1ose-thegrippersyarms carrying said pins and havi-ngaxes of motion parallel tothat of thegrip'pers, a stop inward of one and a stop outward of theother of said armsyand means holdingthe arms against the stopsyieldingly, substantially as described. a

-8. The combination of a cylindermo'ving about its axis, the tumbler-camof its grippershaft, two pins, one to open andthe other to close saidgrippersyarmsbearing said pins,a stop inward of one and outward of theother P stantiallyas-described: M I

arms, means holding; saidarms against said moving said arms and pins,onednto and: the other out of its operative positionduring eachrevolution of the:cylinder; substantially as describedi 14. The.combination of a two'revolution 03 1* against outward and -the otheragainst -inward A motion; and mechanism: rmoving" the of the cylinder,substantiallyas describedw j 15. The combination of atwon'evolutioncylofthe other of said arms, spring devices presspin :to bperatethe same,anarm carrying the 1 pin, a shafit carryingitheviarmga stop forithe r armgspringirdevices holding therarm against "the stopandlmechanismttormovingthe shaft Y andnpin into operative positioniduring one :revolution of the oylinden andout of said positionduring-tho nezinrevolutionthereof; substops in a yielding manner;andunechanisim inder, "the tumbler-cam of its gripper-shaft, i two pinsto operate the sameyarms carrying the pins, shafts parallel to thecylindenand carrying the arms, means holding-one pin 'inder, thetumbler-cam: of its gripper-shaft, twopins to operate the same,shaftsparallel 'to the cylinder and having arms carrying said pins, a stopinward of one andoutward 13. The combination of a two revolutioncylinder, the tumbler-camtot' its gripper-shaft,

two pins,-arrns1carrying'thepins, a stop out- M ward'of one and inwardotthe oth'er of s'aidi i shafts to move one pin into and theother out ofoperative position during each revolution ing said arms against saidstops, and mechanism sliding said shafts to move one pin into and theother out of operative position stantially as described. v

16. The combination of cam l4, gripperduring each' revolution of thecylinder, subshaft'12, pin A, arm 21, a spring, and stop a,

substantially as described.

17. The combination of cam 14, grippershaft 12, pin A, arm 21,shaft22 aspring, stop a, lever 39 engaging shaft 22 and means for moving lever39,"'subs tantial1y as described.

18. The combination of cam 14, grippershaft 12, pins A and B, the armscarrying them, the shafts 22 and 22, stops at and 28, springs, centrallypivoted lever 39 engaging shafts 22 and 22, and means for rocking saidlever, substantially as described. 7

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYo'rk,this 27th day 20 of April, A. D. 18915 i p 4 WALTER SCOTT.

Witnesses; I I

' FQGOODWIN,

114W. BARKLEY.

